I went to opening day of the St. William Fall Rummage. Very unusual of me. Most often I'll wait till the last minute to take advantage of the deep discounts, but this time I was looking for specific things for Tam and valued selection over savings for once.

The 6th Annual St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor Walk coincides this year with the last day of the St. William's Fall Rummage Sale. It's the best of both worlds. Best time to save big money on household items during Saturday's "fill a bag" sale, and the walk is the best way to help us help the needy. No longer will you have to wonder what to do with all that $$ you'll be saving at the semi-annual rummage sale. We have just the thing, and it's always a perfect fit!

The weather finally turned drier and mild Saturday, though a few puddles remained on the soccer fields of Muskego High where we were setting up for a Special Olympics tournament early in the morning. ABB Company and thus my company, ODW Logistics, ABB's warehouse, sponsors the regional soccer tournament and helps supply volunteers. Today's Journal Sentinel reports that over 1800 athletes competed among all track and field events in Muskego. Am so glad Friday's rain didn't continue through Saturday!

For 14 years the Thursday before Thanksgiving has itself been something to be thankful for. It's one night of the year when generous individuals and companies get together to help Waukesha County's less fortunate. Through bidding and donations, Waukesha's Hope Center benefits from near-capacity crowds at the Annual HOPE Thanksgiving Dinner and Auction.

While I didn't technically "save a life" exactly one week ago when I avoided running over a bicyclist on a cell phone who ran a red light, I didn't help end one either. I help save a life when I give blood. Safe driving is just . . . safe driving, and a little luck.

The huge St. William Annual Fall Rummage Sale starts today at 8:00 and runs till 6:00 tonight and tomorrow, 9/21. Everything is half price Friday and the last day, Saturday, from 8:00 to 1:00 you can fill a bag for $4.00. I know there's a lot of bargains to be had - I personally dropped off a truck load. St. William is at 440 N Moreland between Summit Ave. and Michigan Street, Waukesha.

I enjoyed my first Waukesha Idol last weekend at North. Was watching for any surprises and found plenty in the incredible talent of the students. Though the competition was open through high school age, several of the ten to twelve year olds demonstrated surprising skill for their age. All these kids have a bright future, maybe not all in music, but I admire the discipline of practice and the courage to perform in front of a full auditorium. Several students get extra points for accompanying themselves with piano or guitar.

At first I debated even putting up the canopy. The sky looked great out to the west from which we get most of our weather. After we finally erected the canopy over the tables of food the dark sky to the east continued to spread out in our direction, but I remained optimistic. We even took time to do lots of chalk drawings on the pavement, figuring they'd probably be there a while.

I'm not the only one who thinks the annual St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor Walk should be renamed The Roy Thater Memorial Walk for the Poor. Not only was Roy known to put on many miles walking the neighborhoods, to church and Christina's, but there's nothing Roy wouldn't have done for the poor, or for any neighbor for that matter. Roy was a huge inspiration with his dedication to the poor through volunteering at the St. Vincent store and his many years of service to the needy through the St. William conference of St. Vincent.

It was Mom's answer to "What can I do" when I was a young lad. I often asked the question when no brothers were around to play with. I thought she was a little strange. It shut me up. Didn't realize until years later she was just messing with me by rhyming.

Had to get out of the house. Took a walk even though the weather was cold and some sidewalks dangerous with ice. Knew something big was going on at St. William so that would be my destination. Maybe take some pictures.

The huge 23rd Christian Women's Annual Craft and Bake Sale is tomorrow and Sunday at St. William on North Moreland. It's a huge affair with over 50 exhibitors and lots of delicious hot turkey sandwiches and bakery. Times are Saturday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday 8:30 to 2:00 Central Standard Time. (don't forget to set clocks back an hour Sunday morning.)

It's that time of year again. The St. William's rummage sale begins Thursday 8:00 to 6:00, continues Friday 8:00 to 6:00 and ends Saturday 8:00 to 2:00. As I've mentioned in the past; this large sale in the gym has great value for the money. If this sale is like those in the past expect heavy markdowns by Saturday, but for best selection shop Thursday and Friday.

Being unemployed has kept me pretty busy. I helped with two hot air flights yesterday, Friday. The morning flight was the couple's 22nd wedding anniversary. Great timing for a great time. So happy to have shared the occasion with them.

On the tenth day of Christmas, tomorrow the fourth, somewhere ten lords will be leaping, I'll be going back to work, and Most Rev. Jerome Listecki will be installed as the eleventh Archbishop of Milwaukee. It will be the first time I've worked in two weeks, and the first time in 166 years we've had a Polish archbishop in Milwaukee. Another words, we've never had a Polish archbishop.

I'm fine, but my computer got hijacked. A hand-me-down from wife, she got it back when hers went down... again. It's the second time this year we sent it in under warranty for the hard drive. Hopefully I'll be back blogging soon.

The St. William Conference of St. Vincent de Paul is hosting the Second Annual Walk for the Poor this Saturday morning. There will be plenty of fresh air and exercise. Great weather and delicious food. Think about joining us to benefit Waukesha's less fortunate. It'll be a great day for a walk.

It's been three years since the beginning of WaukeshaNOW and this blog. There's still plenty going on to share. The enjoyment I get from writing hasn't receeded, and as long the computer is working, and I still have the time, I'd like to continue.

Rosella Metzger died Friday, aged 93 years. Outward appearances would indicate she was just a regular church-going grandma. She used to attend St. William's, and that's where I came to know her. I learned shortly before she moved to Ohio that she had recently been honored by the mayor for working 59 years.

I'd like to point out the St. William Spring Rummage Sale this week. As usual, the items fill the gym and spill out into the entryway. It's a good place to find things you didn't know you needed at prices you wouldn't think you'd see.

If you're looking for Easter around the neighborhood, chances are you're not going to find decorated Easter trees or lights around the eaves. We've been lucky, so far, in avoiding the overcommercialization of a more important church holiday than Christmas. This is one celebration still looked forward to and anticipated, not dreaded.

If you're over 50, pregnant, a healthcare worker, or in a high risk group you can get your flu shot at St. William this weekend. Anyone concerned about their health can get a shot. And while you're there check out the huge Annual Craft Fair where over 50 exhibitors will be demonstrating and displaying their unique and beautiful wares. (Bring your appetite for the bakery and hot, juicy, turkey sandwiches.)

Plenty of bargains at the St. William rummage sale, 440 N Moreland Blvd.. The sale will run 8:00 till 6:00 this Thursday, May 1st, through Saturday, May 3rd. I've already previewed some of the items and it looks like it will be a good one. For best selection get there early. For best price show up Saturday.

I share this machine with two teenagers and a cat, so that could explain why I haven't been doing a lot of writing lately. Fortunately, Pepi just stays put where it's warm atop the monitor, or I'd still be waiting. Now that I have the time though, thought I'd talk about what I did last weekend.

I suspect churches are at their most crowded this time of year, Christmas only a couple days off. If you plan on going to the 10:45 mass at St. William, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., this Sunday morning the 23rd, make sure to leave plenty early if you want to find a seat. Milwaukee Archdiocese's newest auxiliary bishop, Bishop-elect William P. Callahan, was ordained yesterday and will celebrate his first mass as bishop at St. William. As the new bishop's name is William and ours is the only parish in the Archdiocese named St. William, Father Leonard invited him and he accepted.

Fortunately I don't have too many issues with my health . . . unless I'm thinking about it. If I try to remain healthy for a particular day I end up concentrating too much on it and the stress it causes makes me ill. So it is with blood donations. I make an appointment in advance while I'm feeling good but as the day approaches every sniffle makes me wonder if I'm feeling well enough to donate.

I've wrote before of how difficult it is to get fire trucks into a church parking lot when there's a mass on. It's even more of a challenge when one mass has ended and people are arriving for the next. Add a popular craft fair to the mix and things could get dicey. Of course, the greater the concentration of people in an area the better the chance for someone needing assistance - it seems to only happen when it's most difficult to get an engine through.

If the nice weather gets you out of the house this weekend consider coming to St. William Parish, between Summit and Michigan Street on North Moreland, for the Christian Women Craft and Bake Sale. The sale runs 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday the 3rd and 8:30 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. Sunday the 4th. Besides tons of crafts filling the gym and Parish Hall, there are some really great turkey sandwiches being served, plus lots of bakery to choose from.

There's always something happening at St. William's, my home parish at 440 N. Moreland. Last weekend was the rummage sale. Today we hosted the St. Matthias meal for the needy and tomorrow is blessing of animals in observance of the Feast Day of St. Francis. This Sat. at 6:00 p.m. is wine and cheese and Sunday is a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to noon -- both in the Parish Hall, and both a fundraiser for Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County's new kitchen.